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If you are thinking of joining the US Air Force, one of the most important factors to consider is how much you will earn and what benefits you will enjoy. In this article, we will give you a complete guide to the US Air Force salary and benefits for 2023, based on the latest data available.
US Air Force Salary by Rank 2023
Basic pay is the base salary for a service member on active duty and counts for part of total military income. Basic pay is electronically distributed on the 1st and 15th of every month, similar to many civilian jobs.
US Air Force Basic Pay Chart for 2023
Basic pay depends on your rank and years of service. The military pay charts linked below apply to active members of the Air Force. The tables reflect 2023 estimated monthly pay based on the 4.6% raise. The rates become effective Jan. 1, 2023.
Here is a summary of the basic pay for each rank in the US Air Force for 2023:
| Rank | Pay Grade | Years of Service | Monthly Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airman Basic | E-1 | Less than 2 | $1,942.50 |
| Airman | E-2 | Less than 2 | $2,175.80 |
| Airman First Class | E-3 | Less than 2 | $2,302.80 |
| Airman First Class | E-3 | Over 2 | $2,414.10 |
| Senior Airman | E-4 | Less than 2 | $2,541.60 |
| Senior Airman | E-4 | Over 2 | $2,654.70 |
| Staff Sergeant | E-5 | Less than 2 | $2,804.40 |
| Staff Sergeant | E-5 | Over 2 | $2,944.50 |
| Technical Sergeant | E-6 | Less than 2 | $3,207.60 |
| Technical Sergeant | E-6 | Over 2 | $3,374.70 |
| Master Sergeant | E-7 | Less than 2 | $4,079.10 |
| Master Sergeant | E-7 | Over 2 | $4,289.40 |
| Senior Master Sergeant | E-8 | Less than 2 | $4,657.20 |
| Senior Master Sergeant | E-8 | Over 2 | $4,917.30 |
| Chief Master Sergeant | E-9 | Less than 2 | $5,472.90 |
| Chief Master Sergeant | E-9 | Over 2 | $5,778.00 |
The basic pay for officers in the US Air Force depends on their rank and years of service. There are two types of ranks for officers: regular ranks and prior-enlisted ranks. Prior enlisted ranks are for those who have served as enlisted members or warrant officers before becoming commissioned as officers. They have a higher pay grade than regular ranks of the same level. For example, a Second Lieutenant who was previously an enlisted member has a pay grade of O-1E, while a regular Second Lieutenant has a pay grade of O-1. The table below shows the monthly basic pay for each rank and pay grade in the US Air Force for 2023:
| Rank | Pay Grade | Years of Service | Monthly Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Lieutenant (Prior Enlisted) | O-1E | Less than 2 years as an officer or over 4 years as an enlisted member or warrant officer | $4,136.40 |
| Second Lieutenant | O-1 | Less than 2 years as an officer | $3,287.10 |
| First Lieutenant (Prior Enlisted) | O-2E | Less than 2 years as an officer or over 6 years as an enlisted member or warrant officer | $4,697.70 |
| First Lieutenant | O-2 | Less than 2 years as an officer | $3,788.70 |
| Captain (Prior Enlisted) | O-3E | Less than 2 years as an officer or over 8 years as an enlisted member or warrant officer | $5,462.40 |
| Captain | O-3 | Less than 2 years as an officer | $4,985.40 |
| Major | O-4 | Over 2 years as an officer | $6,931.20 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | O-5 | Over 2 years as an officer | $8,589.60 |
| Colonel | O-6 | Over 2 years as an officer | $10,733.70 |
| Brigadier General | O-7 | Over 2 years as an officer | $13,656.00 |
| Major General | O-8 | Over 2 years as an officer | $16,441.80 |
| Lieutenant General | O-9 | Over 2 years as an officer | $19,673.40 |
| General | O-10 | Over 2 years as an officer | $21,147.30 |
Other Factors That Affect Your Military Pay
Basic pay is not the only source of income for a service member. You can also receive additional compensation based on your job and where you are stationed as well as a generous benefits package. Some of these include:
- Insurance: You will receive comprehensive medical and dental care, full pay and allowance for sick days, and low-cost life insurance.
- Food and housing: You will receive living expenses coverage for those living on base, monthly tax-free housing allowance for those living off base, tax-free department and grocery stores with prices below the average of off-base retail options, and monthly food allowances.
- Retirement: You will be eligible to retire after 20 years of service, and participate in the Thrift Savings Plan, which allows you to place a portion of your monthly pay into an account similar to a 401 (k) account.
- Recreation: You will have access to on-base facilities for various sports, arts and crafts, and equipment rentals, which are available for free or at lower rates than similar off-base options, as well as family-friendly social activities and recreational programs.
- Vacation and travel: You will receive 30 days of paid vacation with the freedom to explore local and foreign destinations, reduced lodging costs for hotels on bases across the U.S., and space-available flights on military aircraft.
- Education: You will receive up to 100% tuition assistance through the Air Force Tuition Assistance Program, post 9/11 GI Bill or the Montgomery GI Bill, the ability to earn college credit during basic training, available student loan repayment, and ongoing education opportunities.
Potential Bonuses
The Air Force also offers enlistment bonuses all the way up to $50,000 across a wide range of careers. The amount and availability of bonuses depend on your career field, skill level, and length of enlistment contract. Some examples of careers that may qualify for bonuses are:
- Airborne Cryptologic Language Analyst
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal
- Fusion Analyst
- Pararescue
- Special Tactics Officer
- Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions about the US Air Force salary and benefits:
Q: How do I join the US Air Force?
A: The first step is to contact a recruiter who will guide you through the process of eligibility, testing, selection, and training. You can find a recruiter near you [here].
Q: What are the requirements to join the US Air Force?
A: The requirements vary depending on the path you choose (enlisted, officer, or health care professional), but generally you must meet certain standards of physical fitness, personal conduct, academic achievement, medical condition, and character. You can learn more about the specific requirements [here].
Q:
A: There are three main paths to join the US Air Force:
- Enlisted: This is the most common path for those who want to serve as airmen in various operational and support roles. You must have a high school diploma or GED and pass the ASVAB test.
- Officer: This is the path for those who want to serve as leaders and managers in various fields. You must have a bachelor’s degree or higher and pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test.
- Health Care Professional: This is the path for those who want to serve as doctors, nurses, dentists, or other medical specialists in the Air Force. You must have a professional degree or certification in your field and pass a board certification exam.
Q: How long is the commitment to serve in the US Air Force?
A: The length of your commitment depends on your contract and career field. Generally speaking, enlisted contracts range from four to six years of active duty service followed by two to four years of inactive reserve service. Officer contracts range from three to ten years of active duty service followed by two to four years of inactive reserve service. Health care professionals may have different contract lengths depending on their specialty and program.
Q: What are the benefits of joining the US Air Force?
A: Joining the US Air Force offers you many benefits, such as:
- A rewarding career that challenges you to excel and serve your country
- A competitive salary that increases with rank and experience
- A comprehensive benefits package that covers your health, education, retirement, and more
- A supportive community that values diversity, teamwork, and camaraderie
- A lifestyle that allows you to
